Adeyemi ready to make step up

Chris Lakey

Norwich's academy prospect Tom Adeyemi insists he is ready to handle the big stage over the Championship run-in.

The versatile midfielder earned his first taste of the senior ranks after being drafted into the Canaries' match day squad for the weekend league draw at title-chasing Birmingham.

Adeyemi and fellow young substitute Korey Smith failed to feature at St Andrews but the teenager is confident he can force City boss Bryan Gunn's hand in the closing weeks of the campaign.

“It's was a great experience and I enjoyed it,” said Adeyemi. “The gaffer said to me about how hard I'd worked so now I've got to the bench I need to keep that place and if possible, get in the team. I kept glancing over when I was warming up, just to see if he was looking my way. It wasn't to be but hopefully it will be soon.”

The 17-year-old admits he already feels comfortable around the senior pros.

“It's great just to be part of the set-up, it's where I want to be in the future so it was a really good taster for me,” Adeyemi told the club's official site. “I've been away a few times and missed out on the bench so it's good to finally get a chance. When I first came in as a scholar I thought get a professional contract and try and make the bench - I've done that and now I'm just hungry for more.

“I was nervous, definitely but I was more excited when I found out. I'm still young and over the next few years I think I've got something to give to the team.”

Gunn believes the talented duo deserve their chance after forging an influential central midfield partnership in the academy's run to this season's FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.

“They have been top players this season in the youth team,” he said. “They have been top players when they've played in the reserve games and they have been top players when they've trained with us in the training sessions as well.”